Abstract
ObjectivesA novel ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) VEGFR2-targeting iron-doped silica (SiO2) hollow nanoparticles (VEGFR2-PEG-HSNs-Fe NPs) was prepared and applied in microwave ablation for breast cancer to investigate its value in the evaluation of effectiveness after tumor ablation.MethodsVEGFR2-PEG-HSNs-Fe NPs were prepared by using nano-SiO2, which was regarded as a substrate and etched by ferrous acetate, and then modified with anti-VEGFR2 antibody. Laser confocal microscope and flow cytometry were used to observe its main physicochemical properties, and biological safety was also investigated. After the xenograft tumor was treated with microwave ablation, the extent of perfusion defect was evaluated by ultrasound by injecting VEGFR2-PEG-HSNs-Fe NPs.ResultsThe average particle size of VEGFR2-PEG-HSNs-Fe was 276.64 ± 30.31 nm, and the surface potential was −13.46 ± 2.83 mV. In vitro, the intensity of ultrasound signal increased with UCA concentration. Good biosafety was performed in in vivo and in vitro experiments. The enhanced ultrasound signal was detected in tumors after injection of VEGFR2-PEG-HSNs-Fe NPs, covering the whole tumor. The lesions, which were incompletely ablated, presented as contrast agent perfusion at the periphery of the tumor, and contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) was performed again after complementary ablation. It was confirmed that all the lesions were completely ablated.ConclusionNano-targeted UCAs VEGFR2-PEG-HSNs-Fe NPs had good biosafety and ability of specific imaging, which might be used as a contrast agent in CEUS to evaluate the efficacy of tumor ablation.
Highlights
Invasive thermal ablation technology for tumor has attracted more and more attention due to its unique advantages and good curative effect [1,2,3]
A large number of red fluorescence could be observed, and most of the fluorescence positions overlapped with NPs. These results suggested the successful preparation of Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2)-polyethylene glycol (PEG)-HSNs NPs and good antibody modification effect
The results showed that the content of VEGFR2 protein in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cells (63%) was significantly higher than that in 4T1 cells (19%) (Figures 3A, B)
Summary
Invasive thermal ablation technology for tumor has attracted more and more attention due to its unique advantages and good curative effect [1,2,3]. Microwave ablation (MWA) is a relatively new technology, which has been proven to be a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment for tumor. Some literature showed that non-lethal thermal stimulation could promote the proliferation and invasion of tumor cells [8, 9]. This meant that incomplete ablation of cancer tissue may promote tumor progression. The value of conventional ultrasound in evaluating the ablation range immediately after ablation was limited [12, 13]
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.